Publisher's Description

Protect your sensitive data with this free open-source disk encryption software. Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a real disk. Encrypt an entire hard disk partition or a device, such as USB flash drive. Automatically and transparently encrypt in real time.

TrueCrypt provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password: a hidden volume (steganography- more information may be found here); no TrueCrypt volume can be identified (volumes cannot be distinguished from random data). TrueCrypt uses encryption algorithms AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent, Triple DES, and Twofish. It is based on Encryption for the Masses (E4M) 2.02a, conceived in 1997.

This is the one and, as far as I know, the only free encryption tool that works. You can excrypt your entire system or excrpyt certain files. It uses AES, Twofish, and Serpent encryptions, which others only use AES. This is a powerful tool and I have tested it, it does encrypt your system and files. You can also add a password in addition to your login password, allowing you to have 2 login passwords, if you want to.

The possibility of creating a large file container that when mounted, works as a new drive in Windows Explorer.

Cons

I found the 64-bit version buggy. If you forget to select a file to mount and click the Mount button, you correctly get an error screen. Then you will select the file as you should have done and you will try again the Mount button. The programs hangs and it has to be ended by calling the Windows Task manager.

Summary

Not only the program (latest 7.1a version) has crashed me more than once, but also the error report web screen is a nightmare to fill in, with too many required fields to input. If you forget one required field you have to press the Back button of your browser and you will find your input screen blanked, forcing you to start over from scratch. In my view, either you have a professional approach when making available a software, even when it is free or open source, or you better keep it for yourself as it is.

After following the so-called tutorial I was able to create an encrypted, usable USB Flash Drive twice - TWICE!! - out of over 20 attempts. The tutorial leaves out critical steps. If you receive an error message and try to redo the process, it aborts unless you eliminate ALL evidence of the previous attempt. All I wanted to do was create an encrypted USB Flash Drive. Simple, right? Sucker.

Before committing to a real encrypted backup, I tried to create a simple folder on a small USB flash drive. After a dozen tries it somehow worked. I don't know how it worked, but it did. I tried to replicate it. After another dozen tries it miraculously did. I thought the third time would be a breeze. Eight tries later I still CANNOT replicate the encrypted backup.

It offers advanced encryption options, and high reliability and stability.

Cons

Encryption concepts and user interface a little confusing for new users. It takes a little "getting used to". See my introduction to TrueCrypt below if you are new to the application and want to make sense of it.

- Will never accept password on first try. Must dismount and remount drive every single time.- Cannot remove decryption without wiping entire drive. I have a 3TB drive and the instructions say to "move all files off drive first." To where? Poor limitation.

Summary

I installed this before I realized it was a one-way trip. Now I wish I hadn't

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